Introduction to Biology

What biology is and why it matters in Rwanda, the seven characteristics that separate living things from non-living things, how to work safely in a biology laboratory, and how to give first aid with a first aid kit.

2

Introduction to Classification of Organisms

Why biologists classify living things, the seven ranks from kingdom to species, how scientific names are written, the five kingdoms and why viruses stand outside them, and how to use and build dichotomous keys to identify organisms.

3

External Structure and Importance of a Flowering Plant

The parts of a flowering plant and what each does: stems and leaves, the flower, and the root system; how monocotyledons and dicotyledons differ; how roots, stems and leaves are modified for storage, support and protection; and why flowering plants matter to Rwanda.

4

Magnifying Instruments and Biological Drawings

Why biologists need magnifying instruments; how to use a hand lens; the parts of the light microscope and how to focus it; how to calculate magnification, actual size and image size with the correct units; and the rules for making an accurate biological drawing.

5

Plant and Animal Cells

What a cell is and how cells differ in type and size; how to prepare, stain and observe animal and plant cells with the light microscope; what the mitochondrion does; and how plant and animal cells compare, as the starting point for cell specialisation.

6

Levels of Organisation in Multicellular Organisms

How cells become specialised for one job: ciliated, nerve, red blood, sperm and egg cells in animals, and mesophyll, palisade, root hair and xylem cells in plants; why specialisation and the division of labour help large organisms; and how cells build tissues, organs, organ systems and whole organisms.

7

Food Nutrients and Diet

The seven classes of nutrients, their sources in Rwandan food and their chemical make-up; how to test foods for starch, glucose, protein, vitamin C and lipids; how to plan a balanced diet for people with different needs; and the deficiency disorders caused by too little vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium or iron.

8

Structure and Functions of the Human Gas Exchange System

The organs that carry air from the nose to the alveoli and how each is built for its job; how the diaphragm and intercostal muscles move air in and out; how exhaled air differs from inhaled air, shown with the limewater test; and how to measure breathing rate, read a lung-volume trace and protect the lungs from smoke.

9

Tropic Responses

How plants detect stimuli and respond by growing in a particular direction; phototropism, geotropism, hydrotropism, chemotropism and thigmotropism, with the classic experiments that reveal each one; how the plant hormone auxin makes a shoot bend; and why tropisms matter to plants and to Rwandan farmers who grow climbing beans and passion fruit.

10

Skeletal Systems of Organisms

Why animals need a skeleton, and the three kinds: the fluid-filled hydrostatic skeleton of the earthworm, the jointed exoskeleton of insects and crabs, and the endoskeleton of vertebrates; the human skeleton, from the skull, vertebral column and ribcage to the limb girdles and limbs; ball-and-socket and hinge joints; the five functions of the skeleton; and the daily habits that keep bones strong.

11

Classification of Diseases

What health and disease mean and the everyday practices that promote good health; how diseases are classified as infectious or non-infectious (deficiency, inherited, degenerative and lifestyle); how infectious diseases spread through air, water and food, vectors, contact and body fluids, and the chain of infection; physical and mental disorders, understood without stigma; and how infections are prevented, with Rwanda's community health workers, bed nets, vaccination, handwashing and Mutuelle de santé as examples.

12

Social Factors That Affect Good Health

What good health means (physical, mental, social and public health) and the services that protect it in Rwanda; how housing, food inspection, clean water and hygiene affect health; what a drug is and how medical and non-medical use differ; how antibiotic resistance arises and how everyone can slow it; and the effects of excessive alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use, with the laws and refusal skills that help young people say no.

13

Human Reproductive System and Sexual Maturation

The structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems; how sperm and eggs are made; how X and Y chromosomes determine sex; the hormones that control reproduction and puberty, and why the timing of puberty varies; the menstrual cycle and menstrual hygiene; and how culture, tradition and religion in Rwanda shape views of sex, gender and reproduction. Taught with scientific names, simple labelled diagrams and respect.

14

Decision-Making Regarding Sexual Relationships

The barriers to safe sexual health (peer pressure, alcohol and drugs, misinformation, and transactional sex, which is abuse of power and a crime when a child is involved); the facts about sexually transmitted infections including HIV and how the chain of transmission is broken; dual protection against unplanned pregnancy and infection, with abstinence as the safest choice at this age; and a step-by-step model for making safe decisions, with refusal skills and where to get help in Rwanda.

Units